Table 1.
Demographic characteristics and health statuses (N = 212)
| Variable | n (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | 98 (46.2) |
| Female | 114 (53.8) | |
| Educational level | Illiterate | 31 (14.6) |
| Primary school | 87 (41.0) | |
| High School | 49 (23.1) | |
| College or above | 45 (21.2) | |
| Work status | Still working | 24 (11.3) |
| Retired | 98 (46.2) | |
| Domestic work | 90 (42.5) | |
| Marital status | Have a partner | 151 (71.2) |
| No partner | 61 (28.8) | |
| Disability/Major illness | Yes | 32 (15.1) |
| Main diagnosis | General medicine | 139 (65.6) |
| Surgical | 73 (34.4) | |
| Disease history | Hypertension | 149 (70.3) |
| Heart disease | 79 (37.3) | |
| Diabetes mellitus | 71 (33.5) | |
| Operation | Yes | 54 (25.5) |
| Toileting | Incontinent/assistive | 65 (30.7) |
| Tube use | Yes | 47 (22.2) |
| Risky health behaviors | Yes | 27 (12.7) |
| BMI (kg/m2) | < 18.5 | 26 (12.3) |
| 18.5 ~ 24.9 | 89 (42.0) | |
| > 24.9 | 97 (45.8) | |
| Ambulation | Assistive | 72 (34.0) |
| Hospitalization experience | Yes | 146 (48.7) |
| Rankin disability scale (Grade) | Grade 1 | 30 (14.2) |
| Grades 2 or 3 | 93 (43.9) | |
| Grades 4 or 5 | 89 (42.0) | |
| Cognition | Normal | 169 (79.7) |
| Family/companion support | Yes | 182 (85.5) |
| Self-care ability | Yes | 99 (46.7) |
SD, standard deviation; BMI, body-mass index. The recommended levels are adapted from the global WHO recommendation of 18.5–24.9 as a normal BMI. (https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/a-healthy-lifestyle---who-recommendations )